Junaid Khan has criticized BCCI and Team India for alleged advantages in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy based on travel disparities. He noted India played all matches in Dubai, while other teams faced extensive travel. Gautam Gambhir defended the team, claiming no practice in Dubai prior to matches, asserting there was no unfair advantage.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Junaid Khan has accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Team India of benefiting from the scheduling of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. His comments emerged on social media just before the finals between India and New Zealand, highlighting disparities in travel distances for the three competing teams.
Junaid’s analysis pointed out that South Africa, who were eliminated in the semifinals, traveled 3,286 kilometers, while New Zealand traversed 7,150 kilometers across the tournament venues. In contrast, Team India played solely in Dubai, incurring no travel distance. He stated, “Distance travelled between matches in Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand: 7,150 KM, South Africa: 3,286 KM, India: 0 KM. Some teams win by skill, some win by scheduling…”
The scheduling controversy stems from geopolitical constraints preventing the Indian team from traveling to Pakistan, leading the ICC to designate the UAE as a neutral venue. Critics argue that this arrangement has given India an unfair advantage by allowing them to compete without the challenges of travel that other teams faced. However, India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has refuted these allegations.
He emphasized that India did not practice in Dubai prior to the tournament and that their preparation took place at the ICC Academy, which he claimed bore little resemblance to the conditions of the matches. Gambhir asserted, “If you look at the wickets there and here, the difference is between the ground and the sky. Some people are just perpetual cribbers, man. They’ve got to grow up. So, I feel that there was nothing like we had any undue advantage or we had planned something like that.”
Junaid Khan’s remarks raise critical questions regarding the fairness of tournament scheduling and its impact on the competitive landscape, particularly for teams that must travel extensively.
The accusations from Junaid Khan regarding the scheduling of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy highlight significant disparities in travel for participating teams, sparking debate about fairness in the competition. Despite these concerns, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has rejected claims of undue advantage, emphasizing the differences in practice conditions and the team’s efforts. This controversy underscores the complexities of scheduling international tournaments amid geopolitical constraints.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
